What Will Happen If Liu Xiang Does Not Win The Gold Medal?

There are only three days before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games begin and many Chinese have been talking about how China will perform.

There is a lot of hope and expectation from many Chinese that China’s athletes will win many medals this year and hopefully more than the United States. Especially now, China has several very famous athletes like Yao Ming, the basketball player, and Liu Xiang (above), who was the previous 110 meters world record holder. Earlier this year, his 12.88 second world record was beaten by Dayron Robles from Cuba who got 12.87 seconds. When this happened and because of some injuries causing Liu Xiang not to compete in many events recently, many Chinese have become worried about whether he can win a gold medal for China in the Olympics.

On Tianya Forum: What will happen if Liu Xiang loses the gold medal?

If we ask who is the most famous celebrity right now, I think everyone will definitely say “Liu Xiang!” Ever since Liu Xiang won the 110 meters at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, who was once an unknown athlete suddenly became a household name. Henceforth, Liu Xiang’s life has completely changed, fresh flowers blot out the sky, the applause, and innumerable advertising endorsements. In addition to his tall handsomeness and sunny appearance, his reputation has surpassed even the entertainment stars. Everyone has held him up and made him into a Chinese sports legend!

But, has anyone ever considered, if Liu Xiang loses the gold medal for the 110 meter hurdles at the Beijing Olympics, will there still be the above situation?

Let us first discuss Liu Xiang’s powerful enemies that threaten his championship. Liu Xiang’s biggest competitor, Allen Johnson, because of a reoccuring injury at the Olympic Game trials is already “game over.” It cannot be denied that this is good news. I think there must have been many people who, after hearing this, secretly rejoiced. Of course, I was happy too! His second most dangerous competitor, after running a 12.90, Dominique Arnold was punished for a false start and will not be at the Olympics. For the Chinese and Liu Xiang, that is two less competitors, increasing his chances of winning the championship. So the expectation for Liu Xiang to win the gold at the Olympics is even more. Even the country’s General Administration of Sports officials have told Liu Xiang’s coach, Sun Haiping, that he must win the 110 meter hurdles championship!!! Besides the above two, there are two other powerful American competitors to Liu Xiang but even they are not the biggest threat. Recently, the Cuban Dayron Robles has become Liu Xiang’s biggest enemy in any competition, twice intruding into 12.88 secnds, defeating Liu Xiang many other times.

Let us take another look at our Liu Xiang. Ever since winning the medal at Athens, he has been overwhelmed with sponsorship and advertising suitors. February 2008, Liu Xiang, who has never had an injury, twisted his left ankle after practice. In May, while competining in New York, Liu Xiang withdrew due to a thigh injury. Even though the news have suggested that Liu Xiang’s injury is designed to deceive Dayron Robles, that it is something his coach thought of, I would rather believe that he is indeed injured and not believe he is not.

Now, there may be some people shaking their heads, asking “what is wrong with you, cursing Liu Xiang to lose?”  I can respond with certainty: I hope China’s flyer wins the 110 metere hurdles gold medal, once again climbing to the gold medal podium! BUt, Liu Xiang’s road to protect his championship will be rough and difficult. People cannot everyday pretend; they must face reality.

Recently, on ChinaDaily, it said: The country’s General Administration of Sports senior officials gave Liu Xiang “the ultimatum”: If Liu Xiang cannot win the gold medal in Beijing, then his past accomplishments will be meaningless.

This sentence’s secret meaning is already very obvious…In my view, no matter how strong Liu Xiang is he is still just a human, who can be perfect all the time? If Liu Xiang is really unable to get the gold medal, are you, me, China, and even all of Asia able to face it? Will he become China and all of Asia’s criminal? Will all his past medals and accomplisments become worthless?

What I want to say is, I hope that as the Olympics begin, everyone will not give Liu Xiang excessive pressure, because being an world champion really is not easy! When interviewed by a reporter, Liu Xiang said, “There really is a lot of pressure. To me, these few days have been suffering, so much that I do not dare say too many sentences. The Beijing Olympics has been the most stressful moment of my life, because there are too many people watching me. This pressure comes from other people, and I already try my best to withstand it, push push push…I still hope that everyone can give me some free space and not give me too much pressure.” I also hope everyone can lightly treat Liu Xiang regardless of the results in the upcoming competitions.

Some of the replies:

There is always the ParaOlympics…

If Liu Xiang loses and I am lucky enough to meet him, I will still respect him as I would respect any average person.

He will finally be able to find a girlfriend~~~~~~~~~~~

Him losing is also good, at least he will no longer be extremely arrogant.

It does not matter! You cannot always win! Records are constantly broken! So, even if he loses, it is normal!

Lose lose lose lose lose lose lose lose lose lose.
Besides, he has already earned enough.

The world will still turn, people will still eat, prices will still go up!!!!!!!!

To me, Liu Xiang and Yao Ming have changed how I look at Shanghainese men. It is not because they can run fast or they are tall, but it is because of their wisdom. Wining is good, lose is good, as long as their minds do not degenerate Liu Xiang will still be Liu Xiang.

But, I cannot deny that if he loses, a lot of people will be very disappointed and will curse him. From another angle, winning will give him a lot of honor and wealth, but if he cannot, he will lose his honor. This possibility should be something that every celebrity has considered before.

Even if Liu Xiang loses, he is still a hero.

Those who can participate in the Olympics are stand out people. Whether they get the gold is not important.
A powerful nation does not see how many gold medals it can get.

Liu Xiang speaks bluntly, has individuality. No matter if he wins this time, I will still support him.

If he does not get the gold medal, then he will make one hundred million less a year. I think this would be the biggest part of his pressure.

Liu Xiang is also a normal person, do not give him so much pressure.
Everything he has received he has earned. Why do you say he is extremely arrogant? How has he been extremely arrogant? I feel like he is a real, young person, not fake. Does he have to be pretend to be old and modest before you can accept him and not criticize him?

Even if he loses, he is still a hero, because he has already done his best. He is a patriotic good young guy, my idol.

So if he wins, it is China’s greatness, Asian people’s honor? If he loses, it is “just a game! so what!?” So ridiculous!

…If Liu Xiang is unable to win the gold medal, hopefully that government official will resign.

After losing, let him make less advertisements.

Ridiculous, what right do you have to tell him to make less advertisements? What, other people cannot make money? Plus, Liu Xiang’s making advertisements does not actually affect his training.

This is really funny, just because he has some confidence, he is extremely arrogant? Sprinters need to be aggressive anyway. Look at those black people who walk onto the field with arrogance and conceit, because in their heart they must believe they can crush the competition.

I have a black heart, so I will feel extremely happy if he loses.

If he wins the gold, the only thing that will change is that he will have even more advertisements. I really hate advertisements.

It took decades for Chinese track and field to produce a respectable athlete, so can we say something nice, everyone? Sigh, I do not know what has happened to society.

I really do not understand some people’s hearts, wanting China to win all the gold medals. Are foreigners coming to Beijing just to practice with us? No matter lose or win, it will not change that Liu Xiang is a respectable athlete. He has already been very successful.  And those who think making advertisements will affect his training, Liu spends at most half his days on training, sometimes only two hours is enough, but with extreme intensity. As long as he tries his best, we should applaud him.

He will claim again that he hurt his foot, so he could not get first.

Liu’s biggest competitor is Robles. If we can cause him some small problems, such as putting laxatives in his food, this way Liu’s gold medal will be preserved! He he

If Liu Xiang loses the gold, we should all come beat up the topic-starter….

Stupid cunt government official, the charm of a big competition is the unpredictability and fortune. What is this “do or die” order? Do you think this is fighting a war? A professional athlete will do his best to win even if you do not tell. What is the use of issuing the “do or die” order? Watching those non-sports officials giving these kind of “do or die” orders is disgusting. You motherfucker think this is about you and your achievements? You think piling on money is enough to make things happen? How come you do not give the same “do or die” order to the Chinese soccer team…or also say they must win the championships. I do not even count on the Chinese team appearing…I just beg you not to give “do or die” orders. Stop motherfucking embarrassing us!! Soon we will return to being second-class Asians.

If China gives the other athletes 10 beautiful women, I am sure we can win the gold. This is what Chinese people are good at.

Liu Xiang’s pressure is no less than the Chinese ping pong team. If he loses, I am really afraid whether he and his family can withstand how the country will treat them.

I can only wish him good luck.

What business of ours whether or not he wins the championship.
We should care more about the skyrocketing inflation.

If I was Liu Xiang, I would petition the Olympic Committee to let those two powerful enemies participate, to show our country’s great heart. Even if Liu Xiang loses, foreigners will still give their thumbs up to Liu Xiang.

It is the people giving him pressure? How many people will really watch the Olympics? Will even half the country really care? Life has enough problems already. Chinese people at most will only inquire about the final result and what rank China got. It feels like the Olympics is a test, the Communist Party is like the student, but regardless of the result, us parents do not execise our authority.

Lose and get run out of China, automatically renounce your Chinese citizenship. China does not need your type of people losing face.
Lose and get run out of China, automatically renounce your Chinese citizenship. China does not need your type of people losing face.
Lose and get run out of China, automatically renounce your Chinese citizenship. China does not need your type of people losing face.

You can be the “nationality’s hero” just by running faster than others.
Has the word “nationality” become worthless??
If you can no longer run, you become the “nationality’s enemy.”
As long as this is the case, never complain about other nationalities discrimination against us.
It seems “nationality” is worthless in your hearts now.

Who is Liu Xiang?
Who is Liu Xiang?
Who is Liu Xiang?
Who is Liu Xiang?

If he loses, we simply listen to our anthem one less time….
If he wins, his victory it will be played over and over again…
It will be made to be very melodramatic…
So countless people can cry…
Stimulateing sales of tissues and wasting trees.
So, it looks like he should lose. This way, it will be more environmentally friendly. This way, it will be more harmonious.

Forget it, only in China do we not treat our people as people. Outside of this country, an athlete is an athlete, will have honor, his profit is his own business. In our country, everything one as is given by other people. If the country supports you, you are the sky. If the country steps on you, you are shit.

The moment this child started appearing constantly in advertismeents and entertainment media, I stopped following him.

Now, whenever I turn on the TV, I see his advertisements. No matter what channel, he will definitely be on them. For every four commercials, three will have him in them. Really is a little annoying. Everytime I see his commercials, I think of this problem. If he loses this Olympics, I bet he will no longer be so arrogant.

What do you think will happen if Liu Xiang does not win the gold medal?